Blanket

Blanket
The Bed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec depicts two people under a blanket

A blanket is a type of bedding, generally speaking, a large piece of cloth, intended to keep the user warm, especially while sleeping. Blankets are distinguished from sheets by their thickness and purpose; the thickest sheet is still thinner than the lightest blanket. Blankets are generally used for warmth, while sheets are for hygiene, comfort and aesthetics. Blankets are subdivided into many types, including quilts, duvets, and comforters, depending on their thickness, construction and/or fill material. Electric blankets are heated by electricity. Blankets were traditionally made of wool because of wool's warmth, breathability and natural fire-retardant properties, while sheets were made of cotton or linen, which are less irritating to the skin. Nowadays, synthetic fibers are frequently used for both. Throw blankets are smaller blankets, often in decorative colors and patterns, that can be used for extra warmth outside of bed. Blankets are sometimes used as comfort objects by small children.

Contents

Etymology

The term arose from the generalization of a specific fabric called Blanket fabric, a heavily napped woolen weave pioneered by Thomas Blanket (Blanquette), a Flemish weaver who lived in Bristol, England in the 14th century.[1][2][3] Earlier usage of the term is possible through its derivation from the French word for white, blanc.[4][5]

Use as a ground cloth

A girl wearing a blanket over her head.

Blankets may also be used on the ground for a picnic or other places where people want to sit in a grassy or muddy area without soiling their clothing. Temporary blankets have been designed for this purpose, although their inherent wastefulness is a chief concern of several environmental groups.[citation needed]

Use in firefighting

Specialized blankets known as fire blankets may be used by firefighters to protect furnishings from water damage during firefighting. Firefighters often wear specialized variants of the fire blanket to protect themselves as well.

Use in moving of household goods

Thick quilted and durable blankets are used as protective covers and cushioning when furnishings are moved.

Use in horse care

A warming coat for a horse is called a horse blanket, intended to prevent the development of a shaggy winter coat of hair. A small saddle blanket protects the horse's skin from chafing from the pressure points of a saddle.

Use in keeping heat within the body

To keep warmth inside the body, a blanket can be used to cover one's skin and keep the warmth in. Many kinds of blankets, such as wool are used because they are thicker and have more substantial fabric to them, but cotton can also be used for light blankets. The term blanket is often interchanged with comforter, quilt, and duvet, as they all have similar uses.

See also

References

External links

Media related to Blankets at Wikimedia Commons The Wiktionary definition of blanket


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Blanket — Blan ket, n. [F. blanchet, OF. also blanket, a woolen waistcoat or shirt, the blanket of a printing press; prop. white woolen stuff, dim. of blanc white; blanquette a kind of white pear, fr. blanc white. See {Blank}, a.] 1. A heavy, loosely woven …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Blanket — Blan ket, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Blanketed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Blanketing}.] 1. To cover with a blanket. [1913 Webster] I ll . . . blanket my loins. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To toss in a blanket by way of punishment. [1913 Webster] We ll have our men …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • blanket — blan‧ket [ˈblæŋkt] adjective [only before a noun] affecting or including everything or everyone: • The authorities have introduced a blanket ban on all deals of this kind. • The agency is offering a blanket settlement to all groups. * * *… …   Financial and business terms

  • blanket — [blaŋk′it] n. [ME < OFr blanchet, dim. of blanc, white: see BLANK] 1. a large piece of cloth, often of soft wool, used for warmth as a bed cover or a covering for animals 2. anything used as or resembling a blanket; covering [a blanket of… …   English World dictionary

  • blanket — ► NOUN 1) a large piece of woollen material used as a covering for warmth. 2) a thick mass or layer of a specified material: a blanket of cloud. ► ADJECTIVE ▪ covering all cases or instances; total: a blanket ban. ► VERB (blanketed, blanketing) …   English terms dictionary

  • blanket — blan·ket adj 1: covering or affecting all members of a group or class blanket health coverage 2: covering or affecting all situations a blanket release of liability Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • Blanket — Blanket, TX U.S. town in Texas Population (2000): 402 Housing Units (2000): 189 Land area (2000): 0.574704 sq. miles (1.488477 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.574704 sq. miles (1.488477 sq. km) …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Blanket, TX — U.S. town in Texas Population (2000): 402 Housing Units (2000): 189 Land area (2000): 0.574704 sq. miles (1.488477 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.574704 sq. miles (1.488477 sq. km) FIPS code:… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • blanket — [adj] comprehensive absolute, acrossthe board, all inclusive, overall, powerful, sweeping, unconditional, wide ranging; concept 772 Ant. incomplete, uncomprehensive blanket [n] cover, covering afghan, carpet, cloak, coat, coating, comforter,… …   New thesaurus

  • Blanket —   [ blæȖkɪt; englisch »Decke«] das, s/ s, Kerntechnik: der Brutmantel bei Brutreaktoren (Brüten) und Fusionsreaktoren (Kernfusion). * * * Blan|ket [ blæŋkɪt], das; s, s [engl. blanket < (a)frz. blanchet = Decke (aus weißer Wolle), zu: blanc, ↑ …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Blanket — (vom fr. Blanquet, Charta blanca, Carte blanche), Art Vollmacht, wo der Vollmachtgeber entweder nur seinen Namen, mit beigefügtem Siegel, auf einen leeren Bogen schreibt, welche Unterschrift die Kraft einer generellen Vollmacht hat; od. bei der… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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